2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

Land Rover invented the luxury SUV when it started importing the Range Rover to the U.S. in the 1980s. Before that, rugged and capable Land Rovers were going where no vehicles had gone before, from the desert to the Arctic. Despite off-road prowess, the brand gained notoriety for building SUVs that broke down frequently and expensively. Even today, the brand retains its reputation, as Consumer Reports’ reliability data confirms. Used Land Rovers are risky purchases. Still, the Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport offer comfortable interiors, powerful engines, and a presence that makes them popular choices for Hollywood stars and British aristocrats alike. The Defender has matured into a luxe off-roader, losing some charm but gaining creature comforts. The brand is now part of Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Tata, a conglomerate based in India.

The Velar shares its fundamentals with the Jaguar F-Pace, putting a greater emphasis on sport rather than Land Rover's traditional off-road prowess. Three powertrains are offered, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel, a supercharged 3.0-liter gas V6, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers ample power. Handling is taut and agile, but the ride is rather stiff. Dominating the dash in the quiet cabin is an infotainment system with two touch screens. But the bottom screen, which houses the climate and other controls, is mounted too low to easily use. Plus, the system requires too many extra steps to accomplish simple tasks. New features for 2019 include Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility. Updates for 2020 include an SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which comes with a 550-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine has been discontinued.